Trend detection and
impact attribution are related methods for exploratory data analysis that can be of value in demonstrating recent trends in impacts (i.e. systematic changes in aspects of the natural environment or in human activities) for whatever cause (detection) and the subsequent relating of these statistically to trends in climate (attribution). Such relationships, if they can be established, may be very instructive in understanding and anticipating future impacts which is, of course, vital to choosing appropriate adaptation actions. They rely on empirical observations derived from systematic measurements, which are analyzed in relation to time (see
trend detection) or to other variables (see
impact attribution).
